You are trying to solve for the following:     (ab²c+5)/(x⁰y)

when given the following:     a= 3, b= -2, c= 10, x= -7, and y= 5

This is what you did:

   (ab²c+5)/(x⁰y) = ((3*-2²*10)+5)/(-7⁰*5)

                         = ((3*-4*10)+5)/(-1*5)

                         = (-120+5)/(-5)

                         = -115/-5

                         = 23

You made 2 mistakes. The first is in the numerator, where you squared 2 and then you took its negative rather than squaring -2. Since b=-2, then b²=(-2)²=(-2)*(-2)=4. If the problem had been -b², then -b²=-(-2)²=-(-2)*(-2)=-(4)=-4. The second mistake is in the denominator, where you raised 7 to the zero power and then took its negative rather than raising -7 to the zero power. Since x=-7, then x⁰=(-7)⁰=1. This isn't the same as -7⁰, which implies that you are only raising 7 to the zero power (i.e., -7⁰=-(7)⁰=-(1)=-1). 

So,

   (ab²c+5)/(x⁰y) = ((3*(-2)²*10)+5)/((-7)⁰*5)

                         = ((3*4*10)+5)/(1*5)

                         = (120+5)/(5)

                         = 125/5

                         = 25

Hi Dianne,

I get 25. I have spotted a few errors.

"3 times -2 squared times 10 plus 5 = -115"

This is:

3 • (-2)² • 10 + 5

= 3 • 4 • 10 + 5

= 12 • 10 + 5

= 120 + 5

= 125

For the divisor (denominator), you say "-7 to the 0 power is -1 times 5 = -5"

Keep in mind that the problem was originally x⁰y with x = -7 and y = 5.

(-7)⁰ • 5

= 1 • 5

= 5

The zero exponent applied to the x so it applies to the whole -7. Any number raised to the zero power is 1 (except 0⁰, which is undefined).

Putting it all together you have

125 ÷ 5

= 25

I hope that helps. Good luck.